>> first of all, the prime minister and i discussed syria. we share the view that when the syrian people are being killed, or are unable to express themselves, that is a problem. there's no disagreement there. i have expressed my outrage in how the syrian regime has been operating. i do believe that president assaad missed an opportunity to reform his government. he chose the path of repression and has continued to engage in repressive tactics, so that his credibility, his capacity to regain legitimacy in syria is deeply eroded. it is not an easy situation. i expressed to prime minister maliki my recognition that given syria is on iraq's borders, that iraq is in a tough neighborhood. well consult closely with them as we move forward, but we believe that international pressure, the approach we have taken, along with partner around the world to impose sanctions and to call on assaad to step down, a position that is increasingly mirrored by the arab league states, is the right position to take. even if there are tactical disagreements between ir